Thursday, February 07, 2013

Are You a Repairer of Broken Walls?

I'm starting to see life and other people in the light of transformation. The Word speaks of "the restoration of all things."Although I don't know exactly what this is, the words hint at it's possible meaning. Some say it is when God creates a new heaven and a new earth, and this is a plausible interpretation. But even before that happens, I think that God's new life which occurs when we are born-again, and then when we grow in Christ, is a transformational process which restores all things in us.
What are we being restored back to? The way man was before the Fall, or back into His image, which is into the image of Christ. Isn't it awesome that He makes all things new? He makes all things new in us, and then as we reflect Christ to others, they are somehow changed. If they are unbelievers, our new nature, (or Christ in us) helps the ground of their hearts be softened to receive Him later if they will, and if they are believers, He touches them through us and they grow more Christ-like. In this way, our vessel is used by Him for His purposes and glory, and it's wonderful to be a part of His work in this way. Our only part is to agree to "release Him" to others by letting His love, His acceptance, His support, His encouragment, His touch and affection, His comfort, and all that He is flow through us.
When we begin to realize that His will is to transform all who are His, and even those who aren't His, but will be potentially, we start to see them as possibilities instead of as "lost causes," especially those who have failed time and time again. Our view of them, I believe, effects negatively or positively the course of events in relationship to them changing. I believe people's spirits are so sensitive that they can sense when we condemn who they are and what they do, even if we don't say it.
We all have standards of right and wrong, which may or may not be in line with God's way, or you could say our expectations of the way life is to be lived. Sometimes we are correct in our assessments of things, but we must be careful not to judge the person as wrong by bringing shame upon them. Shame is one of the biggest killers to someone being able to change that I know of. It is a dark monster that paralyzes, and can even cause someone to go further into the darkness as it hides itself from the world for fear of having more shame cast on them.
But, on the other hand, our acceptance and support of who someone is as a created child of God, and precious in His sight, no matter what they are doing and thinking and being, can be life-changing for them. The light which emanates from unconditional love encourages others to walk in the light of His righteousness, more and more. We become partners with God's plan of "restoring all things," when we impart this to them.
Let us be called "Repairers of Broken Walls" by satisfying the needs of the oppressed in showing them God's unconditional acceptance in our attitudes and actions towards others.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression,with the pointing finger and malicious talk,10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungryand satisfy the needs of the oppressed,then your light will rise in the darkness,and your night will become like the noonday.11 The Lord will guide you always;he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched landand will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden,like a spring whose waters never fail.12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruinsand will raise up the age-old foundations;you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,Restorer of Streets with Dwellings."